Electric call and alarm system.



' G. s. LOVERIDGE. ELECTRIC CALL AND ALARM SYSTEM.

APPL IOATION FILED JAN. 21, 1910.

'Patented Dec. 6, 1910 4 SHEETBSHBET 1.

awe/whoa flaw/ya J, layer/dye G. S. LOVERIDGE. ELECTRIC CALL AND-ALARMSYSTEM.

' APPLICATION FILED JAN. 2'1, 1910.

Patented Dc. 6, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

mwwboz PETERS cc, vusmucw G. S. LOVBRIDGE. BLEGTRIG CALL AND ALARMSYSTEM. APPLIOATION FILED JA1L21, 1910.

9 7?,809o Patented Dec. 6, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

G. S. LOVERIDGE. ELECTRIC CALL AND ALARM SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED.TA}1T.21, 1910.

Patented, Dec. 6, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

THE "ORR/s PETERS c0., WASHINGYON, o. c.

GEORGE S. LOVERIDGE, F FENNVILLE, MICHIGAN.

ELECTRIC CALL AND ALARM SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 6, 1910.

Application filed January 21, 1910. Serial No. 539,254.

. 1 '0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE S. LOVERIDGE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Fennville, in the county of Allegan, State of Michigan, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Call-and AlarmSystems; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to devices used in hotels and the like places forthe purpose of calling the individual guests automatically atpredetermined times and also for simultaneously sending an alarm signalthrough all of the rooms in the hotel in case of fire or of such otheroccasion as may be necessary to notify all of the guests to leave theirrooms.

One object of the invention is to improve and simplify the wiring systemused in connection with devices of this character.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved clock-workactuated circuit closing mechanism adapted for use in connection withsuch devices.

A third object of the invention is to provide an improved means wherebya bell located in a room distant from the central station may be rungeither manually or automatically.

A fourth object of the invention is to provide the improved means with avisible signal so that when the bell is rung manually the visible signalmay also be illuminated.

A fifth object of the invention is to provide an improved constructionfor the alarm instrument used in the different rooms.

With the above and other objects in view,

the invention consists in general of a novel central station mechanism,improved room stations, and a novel system of wiring circuits connectingthe room stations with the central station mechanism.

The invention further consists in certain novel details of constructionand combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, and specifically set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, like characters of reference indicate likeparts in the several views, and Figure 1 is a front elevation of acentral station designed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is asection on the line 22 of Fig. 1. Figf is an enlarged detail sectionalview on the line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4; is a rear or inside view of thecentral station mechanism. Fig. 5 is a detail section of a portion ofthe central station mechanism showing one form of the circuit closerused in this mechanism with the circuit open. Fig. 6 is a view similarto Fig. 5 showing the circuit closed.

spectively at B, C and D.

Referring now to Fig. 1, this figure represents the front of the centralstation and the mechanism for this station is provided with a casing 20wherein most of the working parts are located. At 21 is indicated thedial of a clock and at 22 are other dials which form part of themechanism designed to set the various room circuits for different hours.Below each of the dials 22 is a switch 23 of ordinary construction and,as will be hereinafter described, these switches are each located in arespective line running to one of the room mechanisms so that thevarious room mechanisms may be cut out at the central station ifdesired. It is to be noted that the dials 22 are provided with the usualindices for the purpose of indicating hours and that in the form hereshown the dials are divided into twelve hour spaces as is common withclock and watch faces.

In Fig. 2 certain of the wheels of the clock are indicated at 24 and oneof these wheels serves to operate a train of gears which terminates in agear 25 carried on a shaft 26 which also supports a pinion 27. Througheach of the dials 23 extends a shaft 28. Spaced from the front of thecasing 20 is a plate 29 and behind this plate and in spaced relationthereto is a second plate 30. The shafts 28 pass through both of theseplates and in front of the plate 29 each of the shafts is provided witha suitable stop pin 31 while behind the plate 29 certain spring plates32 are mounted on the respective shafts and these spring plates areprovided with resilient fingers 33 which bear strongly against the plate29. The spring plates 32 are fitted on a square portion of the shaft ascan best be seen by reference to Figs. 5 and 6, and this square portionis formed by reducing the cylindrical rear end of the shaft so that aspecies of stop shoulder is formed between the two ends of the shaft andagainst which the plate 32 bears. Upon the square forward end of theshaft is also provided a grip nut 34 of the type usual in alarm andother clocks for setting the alarm mechanism. Behind this grip nut eachof the shafts is provided with a hand or pointer 35 which travels overthe surface of the respective dial 22. By this means it will be observedthat the shafts 28 are yieldably held from rotation, the friction of thefingers 33 on the plate 29 preventing accidental rotation of theseshafts. Behind the plate 30 each of these shafts has mounted thereon acollar 36, these collars being arranged to rotate with their respectiveshafts as the latter are rotated by turning the finger nuts 36.Projecting radially from the collar 36 is a finger 37 in the form of atriangular prisin. Rotatably mounted on each of the shafts 28 is a gear38 and these gears are all of uniform size and bear such relation to thepinion 27 that the first of the gears 38, which meshes with said pinion,is rotated by the clock-work train once in the number of hours indicatedon the front of its dial 23. Each of these gears has on its forward sidean annular collar 39 which is provided with a notch 40 corresponding insize and form to the finger 37. Mounted on the plate 30 beneath theperiphery of the wheels 38 are insulated binding posts ll each providedwith a contact point 42 projecting far enough behind the plate 30 sothat when the gear 38 is in the position shown in Fig. 6 the peripheryof this gear will contact with the point 42. Supported adjacent each ofthe shafts 28 on the plat-e 30 is a post 43 secured to which is one endof a spring arm 44; which is provided with a suitable opening to receivethe end of the shaft 28 and permit the arm bearing against a boss 45formed on the respective gear 38. Adjacent the series of shafts 28 andfixed to the rear of the plate 30 are brackets 46 which support the rearends of a series of shafts 47, the front ends of these shafts beingsupported in the plate 30 Each of these shafts 4.7 carries an idlerpinion 48 which meshes wit-h the two gears 38 adjacent which the shaftbelonging to the respective pinion is located. These pinions 48 are ofsufficient length to permit the sliding movement of the gears necessaryto make the contacts previously described. At 49 is a battery and at 50is a binding post electrically connected to the plate 30 and from thisbinding post a wire 51 extends to one pole of the battery. Leading fromeach of the-binding posts 41 are wires 52, the wires to the respectiverooms B, C and D being indicated in Fig. 10 by the sufiixing of thecharacters b, c and d to the numeral 52.

In the modified form of central station mechanism illustrated in Fig. 7the pinion 27 is removed from the shaft 26 and in place thereof a bevelgear 53 is substituted which meshes with a bevel gear 54 carried on aworm shaft 55 supported in suitable bearings 56 mounted on the plate 29.The plates 29 and 30 further support behind each of the shafts 28 ashaft 57 on which is fixed a pinion 58 corresponding in shape andfunction to the pinions 48, there being, however, one of these pinionsfor each of the gears 38. The shafts 55 and 57 are operatively connectedby means of meshing spiral gears 59 and the proportions of the variousgears are maintained in this form as in the other so that the gears 38make a complete revolution once in twelve hours. The only difference inthe operation of the two forms is that in the first case the gears 38and 48 form a continuous train while in the modified form each gear 38is independently driven from the shaft one row or series of the gears 38with their dials is necessary it will be obvious that other rows may beconnected to the first row by a continuation of the gear arrangementsshown in these two modifications and it is not therefore deemednecessary to here indicate a multiplicity of gearings'for this purpose.

In each of the room stations there is provid ed a casing 60 wherein ismounted a magnet 61 adjacent to which is an armature 62 provided with astem 63 mounted to slide in a guide 64. At 65 is a spring post andbetween this spring post and the end of the stem 63 is a spring 66 whichnormally draws the armature away from the magnet. At one end of thecasing 60 there is provided a glass panel 67 whereon is painted or otherwise indicated some such word as Fire or Alarm or the like. Within thecasing 60 and immediately behind this glass panel is an electric light68 so arranged that when lighted the light will illuminate the panel anddisplay the word thereon. Preferably mounted on the exterior of each ofthe casings 60 is a bell 69 and each of the respective stations has oneof the wires 52 connected to this bell and passing through a room switch70 so that the person occupying the room can, at plea-sure, cut the bellout of this circuit. Leading away from the bells 69. which are indicatedin Fig. 10 by the suflixing of the letters b, c and d for the variousstations, are wires 71, the respective wires being also indicated inFig. 10 by the suflixings b, c and d. These wires are con-.

In the event that more than I nected to a common return wire 72 whichleads to the pole of the battery 19 opposite to that from which is ledthe wire 51. Now, it will be plain that if the contact at the centralstation which is connected to the wire 52 is closed a circuit will beestablished through this wire,,the bell 69, the wire 71, and back to thebattery through the wire 72, always supposing that the room switch beclosed. In like manner the other circuit closers will operate to closethe circuits through the bells 69 and 69. By this means the variousbells may be set to ring at a predetermined time to notify the occupantsof the respective rooms of their call. It will also be obvious that acall may besent in to the occupant of any individual room at any time byrotating the shatt 28 belonging to the circuit closer for that roomuntil the finger 37 is brought into alinement with the notch 40 of thatcircuit closer when the circuit will be closed as previously described.In order that the various room circuits may be simultaneously closed inthe event of alarm and also that it may be impossible for the occupantof the room to cut out the alarm circuit certain other provision ismade. From the battery 49 a wire 73 is lead to one pole of a two poleswitch 74 while a wire 7 5 is led to the other pole of that switch. Fromthe contacts of these respective poles are led respective wires 76 and77. The wire 76 and and wire 77 form, when the switch 7 1 is closed, acontinuous circuit to which the various room stations have their magnets61 and lamps 68 connected in multiple. In each of the room stations thearmature 62 has secured thereto a contact 78, the armature and contactbeing insulated from each other and in the path of the contact 78, asthe latter moves toward the magnet. is a contact 79. Opposite to thecontact 7 8 the armature is provided with a spring arm 80 adapted tostrike against a stop member 81 so that the armature is held square withthe magnet and the stem thus prevented from jamming. Leading from eachof the contacts 78 is a branch wire 82 which forms part of the multipleconnection for the magnet 61 and lamp 68 of the respective room station.From each of the contacts 79 are led wires 83, indicated in Fig. 10 bythe suffixings b, c and d respectively. These wires are connected to therespective wires 52*, 52 and 52 at points between the respective roomswitches and the respective room station bells.

Now, let it be supposed that the operator at the central station desiresto alarm all of the occupants of the hotel. The switch 74: is closedwith the result that all of the lamps are illuminated and at the sametime all of the magnets are energized. This causes the respectivearmatures to be attracted to their magnets against the resistance of thesprings 69. By this means the contacts 78 and 79 are brought intoengagement and circuits are established from the battery through thewire 73, wire 76, respective wires 82, contacts 78, contacts 79,respective wires 83, those portions of the respective wires 52 which liebetween the points of connection of the last mentioned wires and thebell, through the bells, respective wires 71, to the wire 72 and thenceback to the battery 49. It will be seen that by reason of thisarrangement it is impossible for the occupant of any room to out out thebell from the general alarm while at the same time if he does not carefor other calls he may cut out the bell from the individual calls.

In the general operation of the device the hands are set on the smalldials to hours corresponding to those at which the several roomoccupants desire calls, those who do not wish to be called being out outat the central station by means of the small central station switches.The clock-work will then cause the various wheels 38 to revolve untilthe respective recesses and fingers register and permit the individualcircuits to be completed as previously described. hen an alarm is to besent in it is merely necessary to close the double pole switch whichalarms all of the rooms simultaneously.

There has thus been provided a simple and eflicient device of the kinddescribed and for the purpose specified.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form andconstruction of this invention without departing from the materialprinciples thereof. It is not therefore desired to confine the inventionto the exact form herein shown and described, but it is wished toinclude all such as properly come within the scope of the appendedclaims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is

1. In a device of the kind described, a

1 series of open electric circuits, a signal in each of said circuits,time controlled circuit closers to close said circuits independently, asingle open circuit, a series of magnets equal in number to the signalsand connected in multiple in said single circuit, a series of open lineseach connecting the single circuit with a respective one of the slgnalcircuits to form circuits through said signals when the single circuitand the open connecting lines are closed, a circuit closer in each ofthe open lines actuated by the energization of the respective magnets,and a manually operable switch to close the single circuit,simultaneously energize all of said magnets and thereby simultaneouslycomplete the circuits through the signals.

2. In a device of the kind described, a series of open electriccircuits, a signal in each of said circuits, time controlled circuitclosers to close said circuits independently, a single open circuit, aseries of magnets equal in number to the signal and connected inmultiple in said single circuit, a series of open lines each connectingthe single circuit with a respective one of the signal circuits to formcircuits through said signals when the single circuit and the openconnecting lines are closed, a switch in each of the signal circuitslocated in that branch of the circuit whereto the respective open lineis connected and positioned in the respective signal circuit more remotefrom the signal than the connection of the respective open line, acircuit closer in each of the open lines actuated by the energization ofa respective magnet, and a manually operable switch to close the singlecircuit, simultaneously energize all of said magnets and thereby actuatethe circuit closers in the open lines and operate all of said signals.

3. In a device of the kind described, a series of revoluble shafts, afinger projecting laterally from each of said shafts, a sleeve revolublymounted on each of said shafts to bear against the respective finger,each sleeve being provided with a recess to engage the finger when thesleeve is rotated on the shaft, a common clock-work actuated means torotate all of said sleeves simultaneously, and circuit closers eachactuated by the movement of a respective sleeve along its shaft when therespective finger and recess are brought into alinement.

4. In a device of the kind described, a series of revoluble shafts, afinger projecting laterally from each of said shafts, a sleeve revolublymounted on each of said shafts to bear against the respective finger,each sleeve being provided with a recess to engage the finger when thesleeve is rotated on the shaft, a common clock-work actuated means torotate all of said sleeves simultaneously, circuit closers each actuatedby the movement of a respective sleeve along its shaft when therespective finger and recess are brought into alinement, and circuitseach containing a signal and each connected to a respective circuitcloser.

In a device of the kind described, a series of revoluble shafts, afinger project-ing laterally from each of said shafts, a sleeverevolubly mounted on each of said shafts to bear against the respectivefinger, each sleeve being provided with a recess to engage the fingerwhen the sleeve is rotated on the shaft, a common clock-work actuatedmeans to rotate all of said sleeves simultaneously, circuit closers eachactuated by the movement of a respective sleeve along its shaft when therespective finger and recess are brought into alinement, a dialsurrounding each of said shafts, a pointer carried by each shaft andmoving over the respective dial, and yieldable means to hold thepointers in adjusted positions on the dials.

6. In a device of the kind described, a series of revoluble shafts, afinger projecting laterally from each of said shafts, a sleeve revolublymounted on each of said shafts to bear against the respective finger,each sleeve being provided with a recess to engage the finger when thesleeve is rotated on the shaft, a common clock-work actuated means torotate all of said sleeves simultaneously, circuit closers each actuatedby the movement of a respective sleeve along its shaft when therespective finger and recess are brought into alinement, a dialsurrounding each of said shafts, a pointer carried by each shaft andmoving over the respective dial, yieldable means to hold the pointers inadjusted positions on the dials, and circuits each containing a signaland connected to the respective circuit closers.

7. In a device of the kind described, a series of revoluble shafts, afinger projecting laterally from each of said shafts, a sleeve revolublymounted on each of said shafts to bear against the respective finger,each sleeve being provided with a recess to engage the finger when thesleeve is rotated on the shaft, a common clock-work actuated means torotate all of said sleeves simultaneously, circuit closers each actuatedby the move ment of a respective sleeve along its shaft when therespective finger and recess are brought into alinement, a dialsurrounding each of said shafts, a pointer carried by each shaft andmoving over the respective dial, yieldable means to hold the pointers inadjusted positions on the dials, circuits each containing a signal andconnected to the respective clrcuit closers, and means to simultaneouslyactuate all of said signals. 7

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature, in presence of twowitnesses.

GEORGE S. LOVERIDGE.

Witnesses ALFRED B. TAYLOR, J r., J. WV. PRENTICEQ

